Most Common Causes of Maryland Medical Malpractice and Malpractice Suits Around the Country

While most people tend to envision gory and wildly dramatic examples of medical malpractice, a new study reveals that the most common causes of medical malpractice lawsuits are much less obvious.

In a study conducted by researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical School, medical malpractice cases in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Canada were investigated during the April 2012 and January 2013 timeframe. It was discovered that a range of 26% to 63% of medical malpractice claims involved some kind of misdiagnosis, and of those claims, the result was death 15% to 48% of the time. The diagnoses most often missed were most commonly heart attacks and cancer in adult patients, and meningitis and cancer in child patients.

The second most common cause of medical malpractice claims was drug errors, such as improperly prescribed medication or unfavorable drug reactions. Of these drugs, anticoagulants (blood thinners) have presented the most problems, making up about 7% of drug errors in the United States.

While these two causes seem less problematic than other more “flashy” causes, the effect is still just as serious for a victim and his or her family or survivors. Losing a loved one or coping with unnecessary illness or injury is a terrible situation that no one should experience, especially at the hands of a trained medical professional.

If you have been affected by a missed diagnosis or pharmaceutical error and suspect that negligence is at play, you may have grounds to file a District of Columbia medical malpractice claim. The Maryland medical malpractice attorneys at Lewis & Tompkins have represented three generations of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia families, and are passionately dedicated to protecting individuals and families from the effects of medical malpractice.